Fetal Arrhythmias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis
1İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi Pediatrik Kardiyoloji Bilim Dalı, İstanbul
2İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi Pediatrik Kardiyoloji Bilim Dalı, İstanbul
3İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi Pediatrik Kardiyoloji Bilim Dalı, İstanbul
4Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty University of İstanbul
Anatol J Cardiol 2003; 3(3): 211-215 PubMed ID: 12967885
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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate patients who were referred to our center with suspicion of fetal arrhythmia for diagnosis, results of treatment and prognosis. Materials and Methods: Thirty -three patients referred to our center for evaluation of fetal cardiac arrhythmias were examined by M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography for cardiac anomaly and type of dysrhythmia Results: Arrhythmias were diagnosed in 15 of 33 patients. Four cases demonstrated tachycardia, 5 - ectopic beats, 6 - bradycardia. Of 5 fetuses with tachycardia, transplacental antiarrhythmic drugs were administered in three cases; two of them with hydrops died and conversion of the arrhythmia was achieved in one. Six patients with bradycardia had poor perinatal outcome, with 3 deaths occurred (two of them had third degree atrioventricular block, one of them had sinus bradycardia). All patients with ectopic beats had a good perinatal outcome. Conclusion: The results suggest that bradycardic and/or hydropic fetuses have poor prognosis, however fetuses with ectopic beats generally have desirable prognosis.